Former Robstown coach pleads in sex charge case

Teacher receives 10 years deferred adjudication probation

Former Robstown track coach and science teacher Jesse Hastey was indicted on five counts of sexual assault of a child and seven counts of improper relationship between an educator and a student, but pleaded guilty to just one charge Monday.

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CORPUS CHRISTI - A former Robstown track coach and science teacher set to face trial Monday on a dozen counts related to accusations he had sexual relationships with two students instead agreed to a plea deal with probation on one of the charges.

Jesse Hastey, 32, was indicted on five counts of sexual assault of a child and seven counts of improper relationship between an educator and a student. But before the trial's start on Monday morning, Hastey pleaded guilty to one of the counts of improper relationship between an educator and a student, a second-degree felony. As part of the plea deal, the prosecution agreed to drop the remaining 11 counts and recommended he be fined and placed on probation.

District Judge Tom Greenwell then sentenced Hastey to 10 years deferred adjudication probation, a $1,500 fine and 240 hours of community service.

Hastey resigned from Robstown High School in November 2006 after allegations surfaced that he had sex with a female student. According to an arrest affidavit, the 17-year-old student told school officials and police that she had consensual sex with Hastey at his home and in his classroom.

Consensual sex with anyone 17 or older is not illegal in Texas, because 17-year-olds are considered to be adults. But state law prohibits school employees from intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual acts with students.

The counts of sexual assault of a child that were dismissed against Hastey stemmed from allegations he had sex with a 15-year-old student who was a member of the Robstown High School cross-country team he coached.

Prosecutor Sandra Eastwood said Hastey's two former students had not wanted to deal with testifying about the incidents in a public trial and wanted the case resolved.

Unlike standard probation, Hastey could be sentenced to as many as 20 years in prison, the maximum punishment for the second-degree felony, if he violates this type of probation, Eastwood added.

Hastey's attorney, John Gilmore said his client, who agreed to voluntarily surrender his teaching certificate, has no plans to return to the profession.